Is Loyalty to Faith Compatible with Loyalty to State?

Is Loyalty to Faith compatible with Loyalty to State?

This year, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand is asking leaders of various faiths to present their view point on the very interesting question about how religion may have an effect on a person’s loyalties. The question ‘Loyalty to Faith, or State?’ is the main theme for this year’s Peace Symposium that the Ahmadiyya community holds annually to encourage dialogue amongst followers of all faiths.

Similar symposia are organised by the Ahmadiyya community in many different parts of the world. The concept originated over a century ago, when the founder of the community Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam AhmadAS invited leaders of all major faiths in the Indian sub-continent, to address such fundamental questions as the philosophy behind teachings of their religions. These symposia have continued ever since, with the Ahmadiyya community using these to bring together religious as well as secular leaders to present their point of view on topical issues.

The President of the Ahmadiyya community in New Zealand, Mr Bashir Khan says, “Recent events involving terrorists belonging to various groups has highlighted how some fanatics may wrongly use the name of rleigion to justify their heinous crimes even against the countries where they have lived for years. The Ahmadis under the leadership of their Caliph and the worldwide head, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, believe that loyalty to one’s homeland is part of a Muslim’s faith. We hope that by providing this platform for faith leaders to come together, we can dispel the common misconception that loyalty to faith and loyalty to one’s own country are mutually exclusive.”

This year, the community will hold its annual Peace Conference on the morning of 26th of August, at the Fickling Convention Centre, Three Kings, Auckland. Invited speakers from the Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Islamic faiths will discuss the chosen theme in the light of the teachings and messages from their religious scriptures. Attendance is through invitation only, but anyone interested in attending can contact Mr Eqbal Khan on 0211336146 for details.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) in Punjab, India, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans 210 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its motto of ‘Love for all and hatred for none’ is evidenced through the peaceful actions of its millions of followers. The New Zealand branch of this community was established in 1987 and is a registered charitable organisation that endeavors to be an active and integrated community within New Zealand society.

ENDS

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